2006-2007 WCHA Predictions

Blue Breeze · Post by **Blue Breeze** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 10:28 pm

Never too early to look ahead, right? Truth is I am bored out of mind and thought I could stir up some convo. All the players leaving and/or coming back are strictly conjecture at this point, but it won't really be known until this summer. Anyways, on with the speculation: 1. Wisconsin Badgers (30-10-3) - Defending national champions with a good core returning. Most likely would have won the McNaughton this year had Brian Elliott not gotten hurt. Elliott returns as one of the best goalies in the nation, and most of the scoring returns. With another solid recruiting class they should be a favorite and a serious threat to repeat as champions. Key Departures- Adam Burish (F), Tom Gilbert (D), Ryan MacMurchy (F) Impact Freshmen- Garrett Suter (D), Blake Geoffrion (F), Nigel Williams (D) 2. Denver Pioneers (21-15-3) - '04 and '05 champions missed the postseason but still put together an impressive run in WCHA play. Carle is a huge loss, but they have enough talent to be a force in college hockey once again. Getting Brock Trotter healthy for a full season could be their key to getting back in the NCAA's, along with more consistent goaltending. Key Departures- Matt Carle (D), Gabe Gauthier (F) Impact Freshmen- Rhett Rakshani (F), Brian Gifford (F) 3. Minnesota Golden Gophers (27-9-5) - Won the McNaughton before stumbling in postseason play. Need better goaltending if they want a shot at bringing home their 6th national title. Will be very young and will lean on young guys for the bulk of the scoring. Key Departures-Danny Irmen (F), Ryan Potulny (F), Andy Sertich (F) Impact Freshmen- Kyle Okposo (F), Erik Johnson (D), Michael Carman (F), Ryan Flynn (F) 4. North Dakota Fighting Sioux (29-16-1) -Very young team came on strong at end of year and made impressive Frozen Four Run. Brings in some more impact players and should add a year of experience to an already talented team. Only reason they are here is because they are in line for serious defections and in the Hakstol era have finished in the middle of the WCHA pack and then thrived come tournament time. Key Departures- Drew Stafford (F), Travis Zajac (F) Ratislav Spirko Impact Freshmen- Michael Forney (F), Darcy Zajac (F), Chay Genoway (F), Chris VandeVelde (F) 5. Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (11-25-4) - Large and talented freshmen class of last year should make a huge impact and bring the Bulldogs back into the upper-tier of the league. Alex Stalock is very likely the best freshmen netminder in the league, possibly the nation. Poised to make the biggest jump of any team. Key Departures- Tim Stapleton (F), Justin Williams (F) Impact Freshmen- Alex Stalock (G), Trent Palm (D), Jordan Fulton (F) 6. St. Cloud State Huskies (22-16-4) - Return one of nation's top goalies who should carry them to another competitive season. Will most likely still struggle with goal scoring but will be a tough, scrappy squad just as they were this year. Up and coming team to watch under the leadership of Bob Motzko. Key Departures- Joe Jensen (F), Billy Hengen (F) Impact Freshmen- Andreas Nodl (F), Jared Hummel (D) 7. Colorado College (24-16-2) - Once again hit hard by players leaving, with Brett Sterling, Marty Sertich, Joey Crabb, and Aaron Slattengren. Need younger players such as Chad Rau to step up and fill the shoes of two Hobey candidates. Will still be a threat and Scott Owens has proved himself to be a very good coach. Key Departures- Brett Sterling (F), Marty Sertich (F), Aaron Slattengren (F), Joey Crabb (F), Trevor Frischman (F) Impact Freshmen- Billy Sweatt (F), Brian Connelly (D) 8. Minnesota State Mavericks (17-18-4) - Came on strong at end of year, but still somewhat of a dissapointment for a team led by older players. David Backes leaves and with him goes a lot of offense and leadership. They need to hope that new players come in and make an impact and that they get some scoring from all lines. Goaltending is solid with Tormey and Zacharias. Yet to be seen how rape charges against 6 players will turn out. Key Departures- David Backes (F), Rob Rankin (F), Brock Becker (F) Impact Freshmen- Johan Ryno (F), Andy Sackrison (F) 9. Michigan Tech Huskies (7-25-6) - Another year at the bottom, although they seem to have a knack for being giant killers. Hard to see this team move out of the top 3 with lack of talent and being in the unenviable position of residing in a state with better hockey teams. Key Departures- Chris Connor (F), Andrew Schwartz (F) John Scott (D) Impact Freshmen- Alexandre Gagne (F), Drew Dobson (D) 10. Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves (6-27-3) -It can't get much worse, but it might. Top 3 scorers return, although none of those players had more than 15 points. Decent goaltending will continue to help them steal a few, but it's going be another long season in Anchorage. Key Departures- Ales Parez (F), Spence Gilchrist (D) Impact Freshmen- Paul Crowder (F), Erik Felde (D) ALL WCHA 1st Team F-Paul Stastny (Denver) F-Joe Pavelski (Wisconsin) F-Phil Kessel (Minnesota) D-Alex Goligoski (Minnesota) D-Brian Lee (North Dakota) G-Brian Elliott (Wisconsin) ALL WCHA 2nd Team F-T.J Oshie (North Dakota) F-Jonathan Toews (North Dakota) F-Andrew Carroll (Minnesota-Duluth) D-Kyle Klubertanz (Wisconsin) D-Matt Niskanen (Minnesota-Duluth) G-Bobby Goepfert (St. Cloud State) ALL WCHA 3rd Team F-Ryan Carter (Minnesota State) F-Ryan Dingle (Denver) F-Chad Rau (Colorado College) D-Erik Johnson (Minnesota) D-Brian Salcido (Colorado College) G-Jordan Parise (North Dakota) All-WCHA Rookie Team F-Kyle Okposo (Minnesota) F-Blake Geoffrion (Wisconsin) F-Darcy Zajac (North Dakota) D-Nigel Williams (Wisconsin) D-Erik Johnson (Minnesota) G-Alex Stalock (Minnesota-Duluth) National Top 10 1-Boston College 2-Michigan 3-Wisconsin 4-Michigan State 5-Denver 6-Minnesota 7-Boston University 8-Miami (OH) 9-North Dakota 10-Maine

hockeypuck02 · Post by **hockeypuck02** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 1:40 pm

Excellent summary blue breeze. I really think the WCHA will be deeper and more talented from top to bottom than it has been in years past. This is my prediction for the WCHA Top 5: 1. Wisconsin 2. Minnesota 3. N. Dakota 4. Denver 5. UMD I also think St. Cloud has a good shot at finishing in the Top 5, and I think all of these teams could be eligible for the ncaa tournament next year. Like I said, the most talented conference in the nation by far. Edited by: <A HREF=http://p100.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... ypuck02</A> at: 4/12/06 1:41 pm

Blue Breeze · Post by **Blue Breeze** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 3:25 pm

Thanks, that's what a little boredom and some in-fighting with your roommates can get you.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"> I agree, it is going to be very deep and very balanced, but that's par for the course. St. Cloud was the hardest team to predict, if they make another jump like they did this season, I could see them possibly pushing the Top 3. The top 8 I believe all at least have an outside shot of making the tourney, and I believe Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota are locks to be there. Edited by: <A HREF=http://p100.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... @mnhs>Blue Breeze</A> at: 4/12/06 3:25 pm

flynn87 · Post by **flynn87** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 8:31 pm

I'm pretty excited to see the freshmen class coming to Minnesota next year, one of the best in recent years I'd say, I think Erik Johnson will be one of the best D in the conference as a freshman and look for Jim O'Brien to make a rather large impact.

sterfry9 · Post by **sterfry9** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 5:46 pm

thanks for the preview breeze was pretty good for the most part....how many teams do you guys think will go to the big tourney from wcha...is it possible that we could send 7?

2AhockeyOldTimer · Post by **2AhockeyOldTimer** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 5:30 pm

SCSU will be a top 5 team next year. They will make the national tourney. Impact freshman will not be Jared Hummel (he's a 2007-2008 recruit) (SCtimes.com). Impact Freshmen for the Huskies will be... Ryan Lasch Garrett Raboin Andreas Nodl Taylor Mattson-The Next Non-Mr. Hockey

Blue Breeze · Post by **Blue Breeze** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 7:50 pm

I had no idea Hummel was an '07, all indications pointed to him being this fall. I just threw him in there because he was a local guy and a pretty solid defensman in high school and juniors. Nodl should be impressive. If he can produce some points, they could easily be Top 5. It is always tough to make the tourney, I see them being in a similar position as this season.

CDraiderfan4life · Post by **CDraiderfan4life** » Tue May 02, 2006 7:03 pm

My Predictions 1. North Dakota 2. Wisconsin 3. Denver 4. Colorado College 5. Minnesota 6. St. Cloud State 7. Minnesota Duluth 8. Mankato State 9. Alaska Anchorage 10. Michigan Tech Edited by: <A HREF=http://p100.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... an4life</A> at: 5/4/06 7:23 pm

Section7Hockey · Post by **Section7Hockey** » Fri May 26, 2006 4:15 pm

With UMD's new goalie coming in and a very talented what will be junior class this team shouldnt have a problem being in the top 5 in the WCHA!
Look for them to b in the NCAA>.

boblee · Post by **boblee** » Wed May 31, 2006 12:38 pm

Patrick White has commited to the U.

hockeyguy99 · Post by **hockeyguy99** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:43 pm

St. Cloud will be in the top 5 easily next year if Goephert stays. SCSU is an all around solid team right now, and with Nodl and Lasch coming in they are only going to get better.
1. Nodak
2. CC
3. Wisconsin
4. St. Cloud
5. Minnesota
6. Denver
7. Duluth
8. Mankato
9. Alaska
10. Michigan Tech

STC18 · Post by **STC18** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 12:30 am

MY PREDICTIONS:

1. Wisconsin
2. Denver
3. Minnesota
4. St. Cloud State
5. North Dakota
6. Colorado College
7. MN-Duluth
8. Minnesota State
9. Michigan Tech
10. AK-Anchorage

RinkRat10506 · Post by **RinkRat10506** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 1:45 pm

I honestly think the Gophers will be the top team. They will also win the National Championship.

HockeyObserver19 · Post by **HockeyObserver19** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 3:23 pm

The dark horses are going to be St. Cloud and Duluth. St. Cloud has Goephert, and a couple of guys that can put the puck in the net. Duluth had I believe 13 Freshmen on their team last year? They will just keep on improving.

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